Pharmacy Technician Requirements and Training Programs in Indiana

Spread the love

A pharmacy technician’s role encompasses all the tasks that do not require the clinical judgment of a pharmacist. Some of the technician’s key roles include dispensing medication, billing and insurance, managing inventory, purchasing, repacking medication, compounding sterile and non-sterile products and data input. In order to fulfill their demanding roles, Indiana’s Board of Pharmacy requires new pharmacy technicians to complete specific training and testing requirements. Indiana is one of many states that require pharmacy technicians to obtain training through a board-approved program before performing specific duties on the job. Upon licensure, pharmacy technician can work in retail establishments, hospitals, and long term care.

Anyone who begins working at a pharmacy must obtain a technician-in-training permit from the Board of Pharmacy within 30 days of employment. Failure to obtain the “blue card” permit is a Class D felony. A pharmacy technician-in-training is any individual enrolled in a board-approved pharmacy technician program for the purpose of taking a board-approved exam. The non-renewable permit remains valid for one year, and the trainee must fulfill the training requirements within the one-year period. After completing the education program or approved certification exam (PTCB or ExCPT), the trainee can submit appropriate documentation to the board to obtain the pharmacy technician certification.

Age Requirement

You must be at least 18 years old to apply for your pharmacy technician license or technician-in-training permit. The state board will waive this requirement if a licensed pharmacist at your place of employment submits a statement supporting your request for licensure.

Education Requirement

The Indiana Board of Pharmacy requires a high school diploma or GED as a prerequisite to licensure. However, there are several ways to circumnavigate this requirement if you don’t have a high school diploma or GED:

Provide a statement of your academic performance, from your school counselor, and a copy of your current transcript if you’re currently enrolled in high school. You’ll also need an accompanying statement from a licensed pharmacist supporting your request to become a pharmacy technician.

Provide a progress report if you’re currently pursuing your GED. The report must come from an authorized individual at the center where you’re taking your GED. You’ll also need a written statement from a pharmacist confirming your intent to become a pharmacy technician.

If you’re in high school or pursuing a GED, the board will consider a statement from a pharmacist, where you plan to work.

Other Requirements

To qualify for state licensure, you must submit to a criminal background check. The board will not grant approval to anyone who has a criminal conviction that impairs their ability to work with controlled substances or legend drugs.

The Pharmacy Technician Program

Content

Board-approved training programs teach students the specifics of their role as a pharmacy technician and provide the knowledge and skills required to execute their duties. Course content includes the duties and responsibilities or the technician, patient confidentiality, pharmacy ethics, policies and procedures, pharmacy medical terminology, common symbols and abbreviations. Students also learn how to package, label and store drugs, how to dispense drugs and standards of inventory control.

After completing training, you can submit details of your training and education to the state board to update your status from technician-in-training to pharmacy technician. The pharmacy where you work will also need to keep records of your training, including the completion date or proof of passing a Board-recognized certification exam.

Duration and Cost

Pharmacy technician programs range from $1,250 to $6,500 in Indiana. The duration depends on the training program and can be anywhere from 4 months to 12 months, including classroom, clinical and laboratory training. Some hybrid programs offer online instruction followed by clinical and hands-on lab in a traditional setting. Financial aid may be available to defray student costs. College credits may also be available for pharmacy technicians who plan to pursue further education to become a licensed pharmacist.

National Exams

Indiana recognizes both the PTCB and ExCPT exams. The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board offers the national Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE), which was designed specifically for certifying pharmacy technicians. The PTCE is widely recognized and endorsed, especially by larger corporations and hospitals. The computer-based exam comprises of 90 multiple-choice questions, which candidates must complete within 110 minutes. The test costs $129.

The Examination for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ExCPT) is the second option for pharmacy technician certification. Established by Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ICPT), this exam is acquiring a growing acceptance by state boards and prospective employers. The exam comprises of 120 multiple-choice questions, which candidates must complete in 2 hours. The test costs $105.

Acquiring Your State License

Application

Your first step to licensure as a pharmacy technician is to apply for a Pharmacy Technician-In-Training permit. Apply for a permit only if you have not met the state’s training requirements or completed a state-recognized examination. You must submit the appropriate documents along with a copy of your state ID, criminal background records and the $25 application fee.

Once you complete the training or certification exam, you can submit the affidavit of program completion or a copy of the PTCB or ExCPT certificate to update your licensure to pharmacy technician. You won’t need to resubmit an application or fee if you submit the documents while your technician-in-training permit is active. If your permit is in expired status, you must submit another application, fee, and documentation.

Renewal

Indiana’s pharmacy technician licenses expire on June 30th in even-numbered years. The fee for renewal is $25.

Transfers

Indiana does not accept license transfers from other states. Pharmacy technicians from other states must meet Indiana’s license requirements for licensure within the state.